Storms rolling over New Jersey are getting bigger, stronger, more destructive, and more deadly. And whether you think this is the work of climate change or the Wizard of Oz doesn't really matter. What matters is the cost: lives lost, property destroyed, and infrastructure damaged. Not to mention jobs, wages, businesses, and opportunities.
(Although it's definitely not the work of the Wizard of Oz.)
Tropical Storm Henri covering all of NJ as seen by a NASA satellite
Tropical Storm Henri covering all of NJ as seen by a NASA satellite
Four years ago, the Murphy Administration promised to adopt revised land use rules aimed at protecting New Jersey residents from destructive and deadly flooding caused by rising sea levels and inadequate stormwater management.
(Actual photo of flooding caused by rising sea levels and inadequate stormwater management.)
But not everyone, it seems, shares the DEP's concern for our lives, our homes, our jobs, and our tax money...
Not the New Jersey Building & Industry Association. They sent a letter to Phil Murphy, asking him to prevent the DEP from taking immediate action. They said the measure didn't address any imminent peril.
(Actual photo of imminent peril.)
They also said it wouldn't protect taxpayer money from being wasted — even though it would prevent them from building new bridges in the same spot as bridges that were destroyed by flooding.
(Actual photo of a bridge that should NOT be replaced with another in the same spot.)
And you know what happened next?
So what are you waiting for?
Phil Murphy decided to intervene on behalf of the Building & Industry Association, and prevented the emergency rules from taking immediate effect.
(Actual photo of Phil Murphy looking at home obliterated by rising flood waters.)
